Recognize the signs of cesarean stitches that are about to heal and are having problems

You will automatically get a caesarean suture after undergoing a cesarean section during childbirth. In order to heal quickly and have no problems, you should treat this caesarean (cesarean) suture until it is completely dry. In addition, watch for signs when your caesarean suture has healed completely.

So, what are the characteristics that show when the caesarean section suture wound will heal and those who have an infection? Check out the full information in the following review.

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Signs of cesarean scar healing vs. problem

Normally, in the first few months after childbirth, including the puerperium, the caesarean scar looks red or pink.

Furthermore, the color of the scar from the caesarean section looks paler with a thin line.

Some women may have wider and thicker cesarean suture marks with raised skin.

In the beginning when you recently gave birth by caesarean section, the presence of caesarean suture marks may make you feel uncomfortable.

This discomfort can be due to illness or interfere with your daily activities.

However, usually cesarean section suture scars will get drier and heal more when treated properly.

Unfortunately, not all cesarean suture scars in mothers who have just given birth can heal completely.

Sometimes, improper postpartum care can make cesarean suture marks problematic.

The following are signs that you should recognize when the caesarean section suture is healing and problematic:

The marks of cesarean section stitches will heal

You do not need to worry if the caesarean suture after childbirth looks swollen, raised, until it is darker than the surrounding skin.

The doctor will usually ask you to continue to treat the caesarean suture scar properly.

This includes always maintaining cleanliness and not letting the caesarean suture become damp.

Initially, the caesarean suture is usually about 10-15 centimeters (cm) long and 0.3 cm wide.

However, over time the caesarean suture will shrink after cesarean section.

Maybe you are wondering about how long it will take for a cesarean section to heal after delivery.

The length of time how long it takes for a caesarean section to heal for each mother giving birth can vary.

Generally, a caesarean scar can heal in time six weeks postpartum.

The color of the scar from the caesarean section will also come together, like the color of your skin.

This is a sign that the caesarean (cesarean) suture has healed.

During this healing process, you may feel itching and this is very normal.

Itching occurs because the nerves in the area of ​​the cesarean suture are disrupted.

It's best not to scratch the wound when it itches, as this can make it worse.

It's best to apply an itch-relieving cream around the cesarean scar to soothe itchy skin.

In addition, you can also compress the itchy area with ice cubes wrapped in a thin towel for 5-10 minutes.

Signs of cesarean section suture wound infection

Conversely, if not treated properly, cesarean section suture scars can be problematic.

Problems with cesarean suture scars, such as infection, can occur soon after you give birth or during the recovery period.

That is why it is necessary to do proper sc (caesarean) wound care.

Infection of the suture marks may be rare if you treat the caesarean section scars properly.

However, if the cesarean suture is not treated, infection problems may occur.

Infection in the cesarean section suture wound can occur due to bacterial growth in the scar.

This is more common in women who are at high risk, such as having diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or pregnancy complications (such as high blood pressure).

If you experience the following signs, you should immediately get a cesarean suture checked by a doctor so that you can get further treatment immediately:

• Pain, swelling, or redness at the wound site
• The wound oozes pus
• Stomach hurts
• Fever more than 38 degrees Celsius
• Problems with urinating, such as pain, a burning sensation, or even being unable to urinate
• Leucorrhoea with an unpleasant odor
• Excessive bleeding from your vagina, at least within one hour after delivery (postpartum bleeding)
• There is a blood clot from the vagina, but not lochia
• Pain or swelling in the legs

If left unchecked, you may be at risk for sepsis, which is an infection that can affect the entire bloodstream.

Signs of sepsis are chills, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and sudden high fever.

That is why treatment as soon as possible is necessary if there is a problem with a caesarean scar.

How to treat and prevent infection of the stitch marks?

If you give birth by caesarean section, of course you will get stitch marks.

It will take about 4-6 weeks for the cesarean section to heal completely.

During the healing period, there are a number of ways that you should pay attention to to prevent infection and to quickly heal the scar from the caesarean section, namely:

1. Get enough rest

Taking care of your baby after giving birth may leave you tired and sleep deprived.

However, as much as possible try to always get enough sleep in a comfortable position to speed up and prevent infection in the caesarean suture.

The solution, try sleeping while your baby is sleeping.

2. Don't do any strenuous activity just yet

Doing strenuous activity can make your caesarean section suture scar worse.

It's best to avoid lifting heavy weights or doing strenuous work until your scar has completely healed, citing the Mayo Clinic.

Put everything you need near you so that it is easier for you to reach it, such as drinking water, medicine, and so on.

3. Take good care of the caesarean section scar

When you have problems after giving birth, such as coughing, laughing, or sneezing, it's best to hold your stomach (precisely in the scar area).

Try to hold your stomach with a little pressure.

This is to keep your stomach from being overly shaken. Also try to stand up straight when walking.

4. Drink a lot

According to the American Pregnancy Association, your body needs a lot of fluids during the healing process of the caesarean suture and breastfeeding.

In fact, drinking lots of fluids can also help you avoid constipation.

5. Meet the nutritional needs

Proper nutrition can promote healthy tissue growth.

This will allow your caesarean section scar to heal quickly.

6. Clean the wound regularly

Make sure you always clean the wound and change the cloth that covers the wound.

This is one way to quickly heal a cesarean section wound.

Also make sure the area around your wound is not damp. Humid areas can lead to bacterial infections.

It doesn't matter if you get soap and water in your wound when you shower.

Most importantly, dry the wound immediately with a clean towel. If the wound is still bandaged, change the bandage regularly.

7. Don't wear tight clothes

Tight clothing will only cover the wound, making it more difficult for it to dry and heal.

It's best to wear loose clothing so that the wound has room to breathe and doesn't rub off easily.

8. Use medicine well

If you are given antibiotics by your doctor, you should take these drugs regularly.

Don't miss it until the treatment process is complete.

If you have pain in the cesarean suture scar, you may need to take anti-inflammatory drugs to minimize pain and prevent inflammation of the incision scar.

Immediately consult a doctor if you have certain complaints or questions.

9. Routinely check with the doctor

Do not forget, routinely check your caesarean section (cesarean) stitches to the doctor to see the progress of healing.

Don't hesitate to ask about the progress of your condition.

How to treat infections in cesarean section wounds

If the cesarean section has been infected, there are still ways to treat it.

Most of the wound infection in cesarean (cesarean) suture can be treated with antibiotics.

It's just that, the type of antibiotic given by the doctor will be adjusted back to the type of bacteria that causes infection in your caesarean suture.

If the case of infection is not too severe, usually antibiotics tend to be shorter.

Meanwhile, for a wound infection in the caesarean suture that is bleeding or even an open wound, the doctor may perform a small operation.

This small surgery procedure aims to remove the wound abscess as well as the infected fluid.

Furthermore, if there is dead tissue found in your caesarean suture scar, the doctor can remove and remove the tissue.

This procedure is generally performed by opening an incision all over the infected area, then draining the pus.

The doctor will clean the area very carefully, then give an antiseptic solution along with gauze as a bandage.

During this procedure, the doctor will also examine all the sutures for a cesarean section (cesarean).

This aims to ensure that all the tissues are healthy and there are no more problems.

After that, the caesarean suture wound needs to be checked regularly to ensure that the healing process is going well.

A caesarean (cesarean) suture can be closed again or left open until it heals on its own, depending on your condition.

Can the suture scar from the cesarean section be torn?

Caesarean section suture scars usually heal well and create strong tissue so that the uterine tissue fuses back together.

Strong tissue is useful for holding the stretching of the uterus the next time you get pregnant again.

That way, it is very unlikely that the cesarean section will be torn even if the stomach is stretched during pregnancy.

The cesarean section scar that has healed will not cause pain or bleeding that could harm you and your future pregnancy.

However, in rare cases, the caesarean suture may be torn or reopened.

This can cause complications of childbirth in the form of uterine rupture (torn uterus) which can endanger the life of the mother and the fetus.

The risk of uterine rupture is great if you have a vaginal delivery after cesarean section (VBAC).

It's just that, again, you don't really need to worry because the cesarean suture that has healed can be very strong in holding all the stretches from the activities you do.